NASHVILLE, Tenn. – North Carolina A&T finished sixth at Vanderbilt University's Columbia 300 Music City Classic, Sunday afternoon in their final regular-season bowling tournament.

The Aggies began the day as the sixth seed and faced the fifth-seeded Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks to start the day. 

A&T dropped the first game but took advantage of back-to-back sub-200 scores from the Hawks to take a 2-1 lead. The teams both bowled a 199 in the fourth game before UMES tied it at 2-2 in Game 5. The Hawks bowled two-straight 200-plus games, including a 209 to take the match, 4-3. A&T dropped into the loser's bracket and faced eighth-seeded Maryville. The Aggies dropped the first game, 189-187, but responded with three-straight 200-plus games, including a scorching 278 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead. 

Maryville picked up a final point before A&T finished them off, 4-2, earning them another bout with the Hawks for fifth place.

The Aggies fell behind quickly 2-0 but bowled two consecutive 200-plus games to even the game at 2. However, they faltered late while UMES bowled a 203 followed by a 211 to claim the match victory, 4-2, to take fifth place.

Top-seeded McKendree claimed the tournament victory, defeating Stephen F. Austin, 4-2.

The Aggies will prepare to compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling Championship Tournament as the top seed after going 14-2 in league play. A&T will look to defend their 2021 title beginning on Friday, March 25, at Pinboy's At The Beach bowling alley in Virginia Beach, Va.